Majestic, mature trees are a welcome addition to almost any property. However, when you purchase a home that has several large older trees, you might wonder: Do trees die of old age? Not necessarily, but aging trees are more susceptible to environmental stress, which can lead to their death.
Professional arborists offering tree services in Crawfordville, FL, can inspect your trees for signs of problems associated with aging. Some problems are treatable, maximizing the tree’s lifespan.
How To Measure a Tree’s Age
If you purchase a property that has quite a few mature trees, you might wonder how old they are. As you may remember from grade school, the most accurate way to measure the age of a tree is by counting the rings inside the trunk.
Arborists can take a small-diameter core sample of the wood inside the trunk without harming it and can then count the marks that indicate rings. Each ring represents the growth that occurred over the course of a year.
What the Science Says About Trees and Old Age
By counting the rings, scientists routinely find trees that are several centuries old and continue living. The cellular structure of young and old trees remains identical. Even a mature tree that’s hundreds of years old can continue to grow, albeit slowly.
Do trees die of old age, then? Not from a scientific standpoint. The tree doesn’t automatically die after reaching a certain number of years.
Instead, the tree becomes increasingly susceptible to disease as it ages. The older plant may experience structural weakness because of growth limitations and slower growth. Such weaknesses may cause the tree to crack, making it vulnerable to infestations by damaging insects or wildlife.
Eventually, the tree may die from these complications related to aging rather than from old age itself. This is similar to humans, who don’t technically die from old age. Humans die from complications related to becoming older.
Giving a Mature Tree the Best Chance at Continued Life
Some of the health problems a tree experiences as it ages are preventable. Similar to how you, as a human, would visit a doctor for an exam and treatment for your health problems, trees can benefit from annual checkups.
Arborists hold certifications in treating trees. These professionals can inspect the tree for problems and perform treatments aimed at giving it the best chance at fighting off disease. Care from arborists could give the mature tree an additional several decades of life.
Call the Arborists at Tri-State Tree Services for Help With Older Trees
Do trees die of old age and can you prevent it? Trees don’t necessarily die from age, but most trees will eventually die from natural decay. At Tri-State Tree Services, we focus on extending their lifespan as much as possible. Our certified arborists understand how to care for mature trees, preserving them for many more years.
When you need help reviving a dying tree or just want an annual checkup and exam for your mature trees, contact us today at (850) 876-8003. We offer a free price estimate for all our work.
